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MS volume licence customers will get their hands on the products early next month, and Redmond said a trial copy will be available for download in mid-January.

The software will reach OEMs including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu and Hewlett-Packard in February 2011.

In November Microsoft confirmed that the standard edition of the software, previously known as Windows SBS 7, would carry a US price tag of around $1,096, with CALs costing $72.

The software is aimed at small businesses and organisations with up to 75 users.

Microsoft's Windows SBS 2011 Premium Add-on comes with an extra server dishing up support for SQL Server-based line-of-biz apps and access to Windows Server 2008 R2 tech. It will set IT departments back $1,604 in the US, with CALs costing around $92. ®